One of the earliest known complications is the moonphase, born from man’s desire to tell the time from the movement of the sun, earth and moon. And yet despite the many technological advancements made within timekeeping, the moonphase remains one of the most popular complications in horology. With this in mind, we introduce to you the new BALL Engineer II Moon Calendar Limited Edition which combines a poetic moonphase display with the unstoppable glow of micro gas tubes.
2021 marks the 130th anniversary of BALL with the brand unveiling several incredible releases over the last twelve months. One of the very first was the BALL Trainmaster Railroad Standard 130 Year watch which beautifully commemorates a vintage BALL pocket watch from the early 1900’s. Also classic in their design is the Engineer III Hurricane, Roadmaster Rescue Chronograph and the Engineer Master II Diver. It’s safe to say it’s been a busy year for the Swiss-American watch manufacturer. Next up in their anniversary releases is the BALL Engineer II Moon Calendar watch, limited to 1,000 pieces.
As its name suggests, the centrepiece to the new BALL Engineer II Moon Calendar watch is it’s moonphase complication which sits at the bottom end of the crisp white dial. At the centre of the perfectly round navy blue aperture is a radiant indicator which displays the current phase of the moon alongside markings to indicate the time it takes for the moon to complete one phases cycle: 29.5 days. Additional calendar complications are presented at 12 o’clock with two spacious day and month windows as well as an additional navy blue central hand to indicate the date. Despite its mass of complications, the BALL Engineer II Moon Calendar Limited Edition is presented with beautiful simplicity.
Once night arrives and you can finish watching the moon on your wrist and in the night sky instead, the dial will illuminate and fill the ambient darkness with some of the best lume in watchmaking. BALL is renowned for many technologies, but their micro gas tubes are easily one of their most noteable. These slim tubes of tritium gas give rise to each hour marker, including the double tubes at 12 o’clock for quick orientation, allowing for incomprehensible glow. Unlike Superluminova, a material commonly used by other luxury watch brands on the dial, BALL’s micro gas tube technology requires no recharge by natural or artificial light and will glow in the dark endlessly for at least 25 years.
As for the case, the BALL Engineer II Moon Calendar Limited Edition retains the classic architecture of the rest of the Engineer II collection with a 40mm stainless steel diameter and an elegant height of only 13.4mm. Despite it’s slenderness, the case feels incredibly sturdy on the wrist as does the solid three-row link stainless steel bracelet with built in folding buckle. The case also boasts four recessed pushers on the flanks to control the adjustment of the complications including a classic screw in crown at 3 o’clock assisting in a 100 metre water resistance.
Housed within the BALL Engineer II Moon Calendar watch is the BALL RR1807 automatic movement with a healthy power reserve of 42 hours. We’re also promised a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and a total of 25 jewels, some of which can be spotted through the sapphire crystal exhibition case back. The movement is also equipped with BALL’s tried-and-true Amortiser® anti-shock system designed to absorb external shock impact for advanced durability.
You can order the 1,000 limited edition pieces of the BALL Engineer II Moon Calendar watch on the Jura Watches website here. For more information or to speak to our team, contact us on 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications: BALL Engineer II Moon Calendar Limited Edition (NM3016C-S1J-WH)
- Case Size: 40mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: BALL RR1807 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, pointer date, day, month, moonphase
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Jewels: 25
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: White with 16 micro gas tubes
- Strap: Steel bracelet
- Buckle: Folding
- RRP: £2,420
- Limited Edition: 1,000 pieces
